Presidential search process winds down

@ByName:By Reuven M. Lerner

According to Professor Claude R. Canizares, a member of the faculty
search committee, the two committees have had "joint meetings," often as
many as four times a week.

Professor Henry D. Jacoby, the chairman of the faculty, said that while
there exist "some differences" between the groups, "there is good harmony"
between them most of the time. "People, not committees, have different
opinions," he explained.

One member of the faculty committee said that the committees stopped
looking at new names over one month ago. A source high in the
administration agreed with this assessment, saying that the committees
"have a short list" and are "on time."

In addition, Walter Milne, the assistant to the Corporation committee,
said that there are "less than ten" names remaining on the list.

But other committee members have denied the allegation. Jacoby said that
the committee "is still talking with new people," and Canizares has said
that a "fairly sizable" list of candidates remains.

Carl M. Mueller '41, the chairman of the Corporation search committee,
added that there is a "big number" of candidates.

Committee members have also been reluctant to discuss the criteria by
which they are evaluating candidates. Professor Lawrence M. Lidsky PhD '62
said that "scholarly accomplishment and educational commitment" were
important.

Jacoby added that a joint committee, including undergraduate and graduate
students, had also recommended criteria for the committees to consider.
"The committee spent a great deal of time in May and June trying to get as
good of an impression as it could from inside and outside of MIT," he said.

Canizares agreed with Jacoby, saying that "we have been quite active in
trying to solicit" opinions from MIT community members, including
"representatives of all the schools, leaders of student government,
Corporation members, staff, department heads, and deans." He added that
groups have discussed issues with the committees, while individuals have
come forward with names for consideration.

Professor Gene M. Brown, dean of the School of Science, said that the
committee has been asking him "normal things," including "important issues"
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and names of candidates he recommends.

Not all community members feel that they have been represented, however.
At a Dec. 20 forum in 10-250, students and faculty criticized the lack of
student representation on the selection committees. Steven D. Penn G said
at the forum that all members of the MIT community -- faculty, staff, and
students -- should have a voice in the selection, and Professor Jonathan A.
King hoped that the committees would be sensitive to the needs of
minorities and women.

Insiders and outsiders

under consideration

Members of both search committees acknowledged that candidates from
inside as well as outside MIT were under consideration to succeed Gray, but
none of them would say how many of each remained on the list. Milne felt
that a person's connection with MIT was not a major factor. If a non-MIT
person were chosen, he or she would be the first since Karl Taylor Compton,
who was president from 1930-1949, to come from outside of the Institute.

Canizares said that "someone who knows the intricacies of the Institute
could start out on day one." An outsider, he continued, would have to learn
his way around, but would bring a "fresh perspective," since he or she
would be concerned with "no particular view of MIT."

"[There are] good people both inside and outside" the Institute, said
Jacoby, who stressed that "different members of the community have
preferences one way or the other." Jacoby noted that while there were more
outsiders in the pool of candidates, "there is good representation from
both inside and outside."

If the new president does come from outside of MIT, it seems that he or
she would come from academia, rather than from industry. A high-ranking
administration official said that while the committee "may be looking" at
people in industry, "it would be better to have someone with academic
experience." He added that "running a university is different from running
a corporation."